The Best Way to get a Machine-Readable or OSCAL SSP Package Fast

Whether you're looking to streamline documentation or participating in the FedRAMP 20X pilot, machine-readable compliance documentation is the future. You may be wondering, “What’s the best way to transition to a digital ATO package?” 

The thought of the time, energy and money it may take to adjust otherwise functional documentation is hideous – we know. But, Paramify has helped many businesses make a fast, easy transition to OSCAL-based digital packages, and we can help your org too.

Here we’ll share the steps you can take to get your digital package created the fast, simple way. 

What is OSCAL Compliance Documentation? 

The Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL) is a standardized, machine-readable language developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). OSCAL aims to help organizations automate the documentation, assessment, and continuous monitoring of security controls across many frameworks. 

The best news: The goal of OSCAL is to modernize compliance and make security documentation more efficient, transparent, and easier to maintain.

Sounds good, but getting there sounds rough. So, how do you get to the end goal without going through a nightmare first?

Generate Your Machine-Readable SSP Fast

The process of manually digitizing your SSP into a machine-readable, OSCAL format will require a lot of time from skilled GRC pros and will likely produce a document full of human-error – even if you hire the best of the best.  

You can dodge these pitfalls when you automatically transition to an OSCAL SSP with Paramify. Our one-of-a-kind software can generate your new, digital SSP and ATO package in hours at a much lower cost. Your new documentation will also have far fewer errors and be easier to update and manage going forward.

Getting FedRAMPed can take many months, or years when it goes smoothly. Errors in your SSP at audit can waste months of your time. With an accurate, digital ATO package you can move through audit faster and get your ATO letter sooner.

You'll also spend less time managing ConMon and POA&Ms after approval.

Request a video demo of Paramify

How to Generate an OSCAL ATO Package

You can have your shiny new, machine-readable SSP in hours with our platform. 

Here's how it works:

1. You provide the basic information from your SSP in a short (45-60 minute) meeting.
2. By the end of the meeting you'll have the 1st draft of your documentation.
3. If you get your team together you can knock out the rest of the documentation in a few hours. If your not in a rush you can spread the work out over a few days.

It sounds impossible to anyone who’s ever dealt with compliance documentation. But, we’ve done it a whole bunch, and it’s possible for your company – whether you’re large or small or have low impact data to FedRAMP High or Equivalent. 

See it for yourself – Sign up for a free, no risk demo

Check out a case study of a company that generated their new ATO package in 3.5 hours: 

Is Paramify a Good Fit to Create Your OSCAL ATO Package?

Only you can know if the automation process fits the budget and scope of your OSCAL digitization process. Below we’ll answer the most common questions we get so you can decide for yourself whether Paramify is the right choice for you. 

Does Automation Actually Save Time?

You’ve already spent an unholy amount of time creating an SSP. Changing it seems like it could take even more time and energy that you don’t have to spare. 

Fortunately, switching to an automated SSP only takes hours, up to several days. 

Using Paramify to automate their SSP has saved many organizations hundreds of painful hours recreating their SSPs. To make the transition we either:

1. Recreate your ATO package completely with a quick intake process. This path will produce a higher quality, more accurate SSP.
2. Have our software ingest and digitize your old SSP and ATO package.

Both options will digitize your SSP much faster and more accurately than you could do manually.

→ Schedule a free demo 

How Does Paramify Generate Compliance Documentation so Fast?

An SSP automated with Paramify is easier to generate because of our Risk Solutions platform. 

A Risk Solution is a security capability that maps to many requirements. Paramify keeps a library of vetted Risk Solutions that are audited and certified many times over. 

With Risk Solutions, your new SSP will also

• Be easy to update. You can make any change or adjustment and automatically apply it everywhere it’s relevant, even across multiple packages. 
• Be more accurate than ever before, saving you time in auditing and correcting mistakes. 
• Enable better project management across your organization

→ Learn more details about how Risk solutions work  

How Much Does an OSCAL ATO Package Cost?

How much you’ll spend will depend on the type of data you need to protect and whether you need to self-host the software. 

Paramify costs between $8,000 - $30,000 per year for low impact data or $15,000-$23,000 for FedRAMP 20X . If your data is moderate to high level impact, it will cost from $30,000 - $60,000 per year. 

→ Learn more about Paramify’s pricing or request a free assessment for a customized quote for your ATO package. 

Does Paramify Only Create Machine-Readable Compliance Documentation?

There are pros and cons to both human-readable and digital, OSCAL-based compliance documentation. 

We believe you deserve the benefits of both, without spending more, so your automated ATO package(s) includes a human-readable version and an OSCAL-based digital version. 

How Do Paramify's ATOs Perform in Audit?

No one deserves the torture of being stuck in the endless audit, correction, audit, correction merry go round. More accurate documentation moves through audit faster and requires fewer adjustments. 

There’s no way to prevent normal, human errors with the traditional, manual documentation writing process – even with the best GRC team. Automated compliance documentation has dramatically fewer human-caused errors. 

We’re happy to report that 3PAOs and the PMO have been very pleased with automated documentation built by Paramify. 

Mike Parisi, Head of Client Acquisition at Schellman says: 

“Paramify has helped organizations, many of which are our clients, automate the creation of documentation packages . . .  faster and more accurately than I have ever seen in the marketplace to date.” 

Get Your OSCAL SSP & ATO Package

Now that you know how you can quickly transition to a digital ATO package, you can decide whether using Paramify is the best way forward for your business.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to contact@paramify.com – we’d love to chat. 

Want to see Paramify in action? Sign up for your free demo to see a preview of your own automated SSP or request to watch a demo video below:

Learn More:

→ Case Study: FedRAMP High in Under 4 Hours

→ How long does it take to get FedRAMP?